Environmental Management Systems [EMS] to Regulate the Widespread Use of Synthetic Textiles

Plastic waste generated from textile particulate matter (PM) and microfibre shedding during laundering has emerged as a significant global environmental concern. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester (PES), polyamide/nylon (PA), and elastane (EL), together with their associated chemical leachates, contribute to bioaccumulation and biomagnification across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric ecosystems. This paper examines the risks posed by synthetic textiles to ecological and human health and evaluates Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a regulatory framework to mitigate these impacts. International standards—including ISO 14001 (EMS), ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), and ISO 14040 (Life Cycle Assessment)—are reviewed as critical mechanisms for embedding sustainability across supply chains. The analysis highlights barriers to voluntary adoption, including cost constraints and greenwashing, and emphasises the role of government and industry bodies in mandating systemic change. The paper concludes that without regulatory intervention, the pursuit of climate neutrality in the textile sector will remain unattainable, and a global phase-out of virgin synthetic fibres may be necessary to safeguard ecosystems and accelerate sustainable transformation.